The staff, both administrative and academic, and seminarians of St. Benedict Diocesan Seminary, in San Fernando (Camarines Sur), gathered at St. John the Baptist Parish Church, in the same municipality, on May 24, 2024, to hold the year-end graduation and investiture rites. It was the fourth of such gathering since the pandemic when the graduating students were given the opportunity to savor the taste of success in their studies in formal and solemn rites. The parents and members of the Sodalitas Sancti Benedicti also came to share the joy of the occasion.
Completing one year of propaedeutic pre-seminary formation at the St. Joseph the Worker Pre-Seminary was Jorus A. Contante of St. John the Baptist Parish, San Fernando. With him, seven others completed the senior high school propaedeutic formation and received the cassock: John Audrey C. Bonecile of St. Rose of Lima Parish (Pasacao); Luke Lawrence Gle of St. Paschal Baylon Parish (Barcelonita, Cabusao); Rafael S. Nario of St. John Paul II Parish (Casay, Lupi); Leo Aron Jay E. Nieva St. of Rose of Lima Parish (Pasacao); John Carlo S. Oco of St. Rose of Lima Parish (Pasacao); Rey Justin A. Peña of St. John the Baptist Parish (San Fernando); and Denver Jake M. Talan of St. Rita of Cascia Parish (Del Gallego). Earlier, these seven seminarians received their diplomas at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary (Naga City), where they completed their senior high school studies, on May 17, 2024.
Completing their Discipleship Stage of formation at SBDS and graduating from college with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy, at the SOLT College Seminary (Cararayan, Naga City), were three seminarians: Rolly E. Coronel of St. John the Baptist Parish (San Fernando); Joshua B. Rogio of St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish (Bahay, Libmanan); and John Paul A. Victoriano of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish (Sinuknipan, Del Gallego). All three, however, have yet to receive their diploma from the SOLT College Seminary on May 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, two seminarians also got past the Configuration Stage of formation and were awarded the certificate of completion of theological studies at SBDS: Nelson J. Gutierrez Jr. of St. James the Greater Parish (Libmanan) and Rene S. Ramos of St. John the Baptist Parish (San Fernando).
In his homily during the preceding eucharistic celebration, Bishop Jose Rojas stressed the meaning of both the graduation and investiture rites, stating that these are not just mere traditional rituals, but rather significant “steps” in the seminarians’ journey towards the priesthood. During the graduation rites, Justin Mhel Piolino, SBDS Council Representative, welcomed all the guests to the celebration, while graduate Nelson Gutierrez, in behalf of his fellow graduates, delivered the valediction, and stressed that those who have been part of their formation journey deserved their utmost gratitude.
